Submarine boat.



N0. 842,146. I PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907. R. H. GOLDSBOROUGH. SUBMARINEBOAT.

APPLICATION mum NOV. so. 1900.

a sums-sum 2.

PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907.

R. H. GOLDSBOROUGH. SUBMARINE BOAT. urmm non'num NOV so, 1906 aSHEBTSSHBBT 3.

' M lflmard f1- GOdsI/orM/j/l attuned:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD H. eoLbsBoRoUeH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT .OF COLUMBIA.

SUBMARINE BQAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 1907.

Application filed November 30,1906. Serial No. 345,684.

1'0 (Ll/l whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. GoLDs- BOROUGH, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Washington, District of. Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Submarine Boats, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in submarine boats; and it consistsin the constructions, combinations, and arrangements herein describedand claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide means for insuring the safety ofthe crew in a submarine boat under all conditions occurring in practice.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for dischargingdeleterious and foul gases and vapors from a submarine boat andfurnishing a continuous supply of fresh air thereto at any depth ofsubmergence.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for convenientlyestablishing and 1 maintaining free communication between the interiorof a submarine boat and the external air and for producing a system offorced ventilation through said communication to cause a continuousinterchange between the air-supply within the boat and the external air.

Afurther object of my invention is to (provide eflicient means fortransmitting an receiving wireless messages from a submarine boat whilethe boat is at any degree or depth of submergence.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for visuallysignaling the submerged position of a submarine boat and for permittingthe interchange of audible messages between the crew within thesubmarine boat and persons afloat. I

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich similar reference symbols indicate corresponding parts in theseveral views, Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of any usual typeof submarine boat, illustrating one embodiment of my invention appliedthereto. tail sectional view, on a larger scale, of the float andcooperating parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional viewshowing the lower end of the float provided with means for preventingrelease of the float from the conning-tower before the former has beensecured to the hollow mast slidably extending therethl ough.

Fig. 2 is a de-' Fig. 4 is a detail view, on a larger scale,illustrating the construction of the upper portion of the hollow mastshown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a submarine boat, showing amodified embodiment of my invention applied thereto. Fig. 7 is asectional view, on a larger scale, of the top of the hollow mast shownin Fig. 6. Fig.

8 is a sectional view illustrating a modification in which the innertube or conduit of the hollow mast is provided with an auxiliaryoutwardly-opening valve. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of parts shown inFig. 6. Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation, on a larger scale, lookingupward, as indicated by the arrows on the linelO 10 of Fig. 6, the floatbeing omitted for clearness of illustration. Fig. 11 is a similar viewlooking upward, as indicated by the arrows on the line 11 11 of Fig. 6.Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view, partly in elevation, taken radiallyof the hose-supporting reel shown in Fi 6; and Fig. 13 is a sectionalview illustrating a preferred construction of hose.

' Referring especially to Figs. 1-5 of the drawings, 1 indicates theshell of a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower 2. usual cover 3of the conning-tower is shown formed with a conical seat on which afloat 4 is tightly secured by suitable detachable] means, such as aseries of bolts'5, threaded into the walls of said seat and float.

A hollow mast comprising an outer tube 6 and an inner tube 7 is shownslidably extending outboard through a packing-gland 8 on the cover ofthe conning-tower and through the float 4. A screw-bolt 9 is shownthread- The its entire length within the outer tube 6 and extendsupwardly through a cap 12 on the end of said outer tube to constitutethe vertical rod or wire 13 of a wireless telegraphic apparatus.

An annular partition 14 is arranged in the upper portion of the tube 6to provide a chamber 15 therein, the inner tube 7 being provided withapertures 16 communicating with said chamber.

A float-valve 17 is slidably mounted on the outer tube 6 for controllinga series of ports 18 communicating with the chamber and a series ofports 19 communicatin with the interior of the tube 6 at a point elowthe artition 14. When the upper end of the holow mast is submerged, thefloat 17 is held by its buoyancy in its upper position against the cap12, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, thereby closing the ports 18 and 19 andpreventing the access of water to the interior of the tube 6. When theupper end of the hollow mast is emerged, the oat 17 is maintained by itsweight in its lower position against a collar 20 on the tube 6, as shownin Figs. 2 and 4. In this lower position of the float the ports 18 and19 are uncovered to rovide free communication between the tu es 6 and 7and the external air. and 19 are spaced apart to prevent interferencebetween the inflowing and outflowing currents of air during ventilationof the submarine boat.

As shown especially in Fig. 5, the inner tube 7 may be rigidly supportedwithin the outer tube 6 by means of longitudinal flanges I 31 within thelatter. Said flanges can be 7 conveniently formed integral with theouter tube or they may be formed of insulating material.

When the hollow mast is not in use, it is drawn inward until thefloatvalve 17 engages the float 4, thereby positively locking thefloatvalve in its closed position and leaving only the vertical tube 13extending above the top of the conning-tower.

In the operation of my invention for the interchange of wirelessmessages and ventilation of the boat durin its submergence the hollowmast is extended outward through the float and secured thereto by thescrew-bolt 9. A conduit-section 21,.comprising an outer tube and aninsulated inner tube similar to the tubes 6 and 7 of the hollow mast, isthen threaded on the inboard end of said mast, after which the float 4is released by detaching the securin screws 5 therefrom. As the float 4rises by 1ts buoyancy a sufiicient number of conduit-sections 21 arethen attached in series to permit the float 4 to rise to the surface ofthe water. A hollow plug 22 is secured to the lower end of the last ofsaid conduit-sections, and one of the spark-balls 23 is secured to theplug 22 in electrical connection with the inner tubes of the conduit 21and the hollow mast, the other s arklug 24 being grounded through theshe I of t e boat and the water of flotation.

The hollow plug 22 is shown connected by an insulated joint 25 and pipe26 to any suitable form of air-pump for forcin the air from the interiorof the boat throug the It will be noted that ports 18 inner tubes of thesections 21 and hollow mast, from which it is finally discharged throughthe series of openings 18 to the external air. Such discharge of airfrom the interior of the boat acts to reduce the pressure therein, andthereby causes a fresh supply of air to flow in through the series ofopenings -19 and the other tubes of the hollow mast and sections 21.This forced system of ventilation insures the discharge of alldeleterious and foul gases from the boat and the replacement thereof bya continuous supply of fresh air.

The usual transmitting and receiving devices are arranged'for connectionby a knifeswitch with the wire connecting the sparkball 23 and the innertubes of the sections 21 and hollow mast, all in a manner similar tothat commonly employed for connecting such devices to the vertical wireof a wireless tele aphic ap aratus.

T e e above-dbscribed arrangement enables the inner tubes to be employedin the system of forced ventilation, while being simultaneously utilizedas the vertical wire .of the wireless system, thereby permitting theventilation to be carried on continuously during the operation of thewireless system.

A pennant or other signal can be attached to the tube 13 for visuallyindicating the submerged position of the boat. Where it is desired toemploy aerial signals, such as bombs or rockets, the upper end of thevertieal tube 13 can be closed by an easily-disrupted waterproofmembrane, such as rubber, which will be disrupted by bombs driven upwardthrough the inner tube of the sections and hollow mast by air-pressure.

Figs. 613 illustrate a modified construction in which a submarine boatis provided with an air-lock 27 for containing a float 28. The upperswing-doors 29 of the air-lock are provided, respectively, with a tongue30 and groove. 42 at their meeting edges and with cooperating recesses32 for closely fitting about a hollow mast when said doors are locked intheir. closed position. A hollow mast is secured to the float 28 andextends outboard through the recesses 32, said mast comprising outer andinner tubes 6 and 7 and a float 17 for controlling the outlets from saidtubes, all in a manner similar to that described in reference to Figs.1-5.

A flexible conduit or hose 33, provided with two longitudinal passages34 and 35, is connected to the hollow mast with its longitudinalpassages communicating, respectively, with the mner and outer tubes ofsaid mast. The hose 33 is shown coiled on a supporting-reel 36 with itsfree end-connected to the axial standard 37 of said reel. The standard37 is provided with two chambers 38 and 39, which communicate,respectively, with the longitudinal passages 34 and 35 1n the hose. Thechamber 39 communicates ITS with the interior of the boat through alateral opening 40, and the chamber 38 is arranged 'to be coupled up toa suitable air-pump by to that of the upper doors 29 and are pro-' videdwith cooperating recesses 44 for closely fitting the hose 33.

The upper swing-doors 29 are secured to trunnions 45, carryingintermeshing pinions 46. A stud-shaft 47 carries a pinion 48 in meshwith one of the pinions 46 and'has secured to its inner end a worm wheel49. A worm 50 is provided with a square head 51 for receiving either acrank or a pulley, whereby said worm may be turned either by hand or bypower for simultaneously operating the two upper swing-doors 29.

The lower swing-doors 43 of the air-lock are mounted ontrunnions 52 andprovided with suitable means for locking them in closed position andseparating them therefrom. I have shown asatisfactory locking meanscomprising a bolt 53, swiveled at 54 on the lower surface of one of saiddoors and threadingly engaging a nut 55, pivotally supported-on thelower face of the other of said doors.

In'the above-described modified construction both sets of doors of theair-lock are normally locked in closed position with the float 28retained within the air-lock.

When it is desired to employ the apparatus for ventilating the submergedboat, the worm 50 is turned to open the upper doors 29 of the air-lock,thereby releasing the float 28, which rises by its buoyancy through thewater of flotation.

As the hose 33 is carried up by such rise of the float 28, it is unwoundfrom its reel 36 until the float reaches the surface of the water offlotation, after which the upper doors 29 can be closed to closelyembrace the hose in their cooperating recesses 32.

Under certain practical conditions, such as minimizes the strain on thehose 33, since such series of floats will be located in the relativelystill water below the surface, and thus prevent the entire supportingstrain from being exerted by the float on the relatively roughsurface-water. vWhen such series of floats are employed,the upperswing-doors 29 of the air-lock are closed and the water forced from saidlock in anysuitable manner, as by admitting air under pressure thereto.The lower swing-doors 43 are then opened to admit the float into theair-lock, after which they are locked in closed position. Theupperswing-doors 29 are then opened to permit rise of the float into thewater of flotation and these steps repeated as often as it is illesiredto attach an additional float to the ose.

Fig. 13 shows a preferred construction of the flexible hose, comprisinga heavy inner tube 56 of rubber composition, provided with an outershield 57 of canvas and reinforced by a spiral 58 of wire embeddedtherein, a

central partition 59 being formed integral with the hose divided intothe two independent longitudinal passages 34 and 35 and to brace thetube against collapsing under the pressure of the water.

Fig. 8 illustrates a slight modification, in which the inner tube 7 ofthe hollow mast is provided with an outwardly-opening valve 60 forpreventing entrance to said tube of any water which may leak past thefloatvalve 17. The valve 60 is shown held to its seat by a spring 61,which is so adjusted that the valve will open under the pressure of theair forced from the boat through the inner tube 7. Y

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactoryconstructions, but obviously changes can be made within the spirit, andscope. of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, .is

1. In a submarine boat provided with means for submerging the same, thecombination of a vertical conductor, means for supporting said conductorabove the surface of the water of flotation at any depth ofsubmergenceof the boat, a wireless-system aparatus within the boat, and meansinsuated. from the water of flotation for maintaining saidwireless-system apparatus in electrical connection with said'verticalconductor, substantially as described.

2. In a submarine boat, the combination of a vertical conductor, a floatfor supporting said conductor above the surface of the water offlotation at any depth of submergence of the boat, a Wireless-system.apparatus Within the boat, and means for maintaining said IIOwireless-system apparatus in electrical connection with said verticalconductor in all positions of the latter, substantially as described.

3. In a submarine boat, the combination of tubular means for maintainingthe boat in free communication with the external air at any depth ofsubmergence of the boat, a vertical conductor carried by said tubularmeans,

a wireless-system apparatus within the boat, and meanswithin saidtubular conductor for electrically connecting said apparatus to saidvertical conductor in all positions, thereof, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a submarine boat, the combination of adjustable means formaintaining theboat in free communication with the external air at anydepth of submergence of the boat, and automatic means for closing saidcommunication when submerged and opening it when emerged. substantiallyas described.

In a submarine boat, the combination of adjustable means for maintainingthe boat in free con'nnunimition with the external air at any depth ofsubmergence of the boat, a vertical conductor carried by said adjustablemeans, a Wireless-system apparatus within the boat, and means forelectrically connecting said apparatus to said vertical conductor in allpositions of said adjustable means, sub stantially as described.

6. In a submarine boat, the combination of adjustable means formaintaining the boat in free communication with the external air at anydepth of submergence of the boat, automatic means for closin saidcommunication when submerged an opening it when emerged, a verticalconductor carried by said adjustable means, a wireless-system appa ratuswithin the boat, and means for electrically connecting said apparatus tosaid vertical conductor in all positions of said adjustable means,substantially as described.

7. In a submarine boat, the combination of a hollow mast comprisingindependent conduits provided with external openings, means forsupporting said mast above the water of flotation, means for maintainingthe independent conduits of said mast in communication with the interiorof the boat, at any depth 01' submergence of the latter, and automaticmeans controlling said openings for maintaining them closed whensubmerged and open when emerged, substantially as described.

' 8. In a submarine boat, the combination of a hollow mast comprisingindependent conduits provided with external openings, means forsupporting said mast above the water of flotation, means for maintainingthe independent conduits of said mast in communication with the interiorof the boat at any depth of submergence of the latter, and means withinthe boat for producing a continuous interchange through said independentconduits of the air-supply within the boat and the external air,substantially as described.

9. In a submarine boat, the combination of a hollow mast comprisingindependent conduits provided with external openings spaced apart alongthe length of said mast, and a common means for automaticallycontrolling said openings for maintaining them closed when submerged andopen when emerged, substantially as described.

10. In a submarine boat, the combination of a hollow mast comprising anouter tube and an inner tube of electrical conductive material insulatedfrom said outer tube, means for establishing free communication throughsaid tubes between the external air and the interior of the boat at anydepth of submergence of the latter, avertical conductor carried by saidinner tube, a wireless-system apparatus Within the boat, and means forelectrically connecting said wireless apparatus to said inner tube inall positions of said hollow mast.

11. In a submarineboat, the combination of a float detachably secured tothe boat, a hollow mast slidably extending outboard through said float,means for securing said float at any point along the length of saidmast, means for detaching said float from the boat, and means forrenewingthe air-supply in the interior of the boat through said mastwhen the latter is supported above the water of flotation by thedetached float, substantially as described.

12. In a submarine boat, the combination of a float detachably securedto the boat, a hollow mast carried thereby, said mast com prisingindependent conduits provided with V external openings, meansfor'sealing such openings during their submergence, and for maintainingthe openings in communication with the external air while emerged, meansfor detaching said float from the boat, and means for simultaneouslysupplying air to, and discharging foul gases from, the interior of theboat through said conduits when the mast is supported above the water offlotation by the detached float, substantially as described.

13. In a submarine boat, the combination of a float detachably securedto the boat, a hollow mast slidably extending outboard through saidfloat, locking means engaging said boat for securing the float thereto,and means for adjusting said locking means to shift it from engagementwith the boat and to simultaneously secure said float to said hollowmast, substantiall I as described.

14. In a submarine oat, the combination of a float detachably secured tothe boat, a hollow mast carried by said float, meansfor detaching saidfloat from the boat, a conduit for maintaining said hollow mast incommunication with the interior of the boat, and means for attachingauxiliary floats at desired points along said conduit, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD H. GOLDSBOROUGH.

Witnesses:

G. AYRES, CHARLES LOWELL HOWARD.

ICC)

